Good Binoculars for Birdwatching?
- Thread starter Sprout
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Double Naught Spy
New member
These are way out of your range, but consider getting her a set of Canon Image Stabilization binoculars. I got some for my folks a few years ago to watch birds where they live out in the country and I have never topped the gift and they have repeatedly told me how much they enjoy using them.
If you can afford a one time splurge, your mom will be amazed.
If you can afford a one time splurge, your mom will be amazed.
Nate Haler
Inactive
Birdwatching? Do I have the link for you!
http://betterviewdesired.com/
The writer is an optics expert, and birdwatcher of world-class reputation.
Have a look at his 'classic' articles, and you will see many reviews of many sorts of binos, not all of which cost a fortune.
If it were my mom, I'd take a REAL hard look at Pentax PCF WP line. These are porro prism (typical looking) binoculars, and have twist-up eyecups to adjust eye relief (instead of the rather cheesey, by comparison, folding eye cups). They are also waterproof, hence the 'WP' designation.
An excellent place to buy these, and other good binos, is: http://www.17photo.com/mivastore/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=17photo&Product_Code=65801
Right now, Pentax is offering a $25.00 rebate on certain binos, including the 8x40 PCF WP, which are priced at $118.89 before the rebate!! That's a bargain friend.
I think you will find Better View Desired to be a wealth of info. And another place worth checking for various binos and various bargains is Amazon.com, believe it or not. They have access to a gazillion different vendors, and their website will provide price comparisons and reader reviews which might be helpful.
But 17thStreetPhoto is a *very* reputable vendor. You cannot go wrong doing business with them.
Good luck!
http://betterviewdesired.com/
The writer is an optics expert, and birdwatcher of world-class reputation.
Have a look at his 'classic' articles, and you will see many reviews of many sorts of binos, not all of which cost a fortune.
If it were my mom, I'd take a REAL hard look at Pentax PCF WP line. These are porro prism (typical looking) binoculars, and have twist-up eyecups to adjust eye relief (instead of the rather cheesey, by comparison, folding eye cups). They are also waterproof, hence the 'WP' designation.
An excellent place to buy these, and other good binos, is: http://www.17photo.com/mivastore/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=17photo&Product_Code=65801
Right now, Pentax is offering a $25.00 rebate on certain binos, including the 8x40 PCF WP, which are priced at $118.89 before the rebate!! That's a bargain friend.
I think you will find Better View Desired to be a wealth of info. And another place worth checking for various binos and various bargains is Amazon.com, believe it or not. They have access to a gazillion different vendors, and their website will provide price comparisons and reader reviews which might be helpful.
But 17thStreetPhoto is a *very* reputable vendor. You cannot go wrong doing business with them.
Good luck!
Double Naught Spy
New member
I got emailed to explain image stabilization. The Canon IS binoculars have the same technology in them that is present in many video cameras. This allows for a shaky image to be greatly stabilized. The significance of that little bit of technology is that the person using the binoculars can concentrate a little more on what is in the field of view more so than on trying to hold the darn things steady. A steady view is really handy when it comes to trying to spot small attributes on some birds that are the diagnostic markings of a particular species or sex. Without the IS binoculars, I would always have to try to find some steady support, such as a tree trunk, to lean against in order to eliminate enough shake to be able to see what I needed to see.
Nate, cool information. Thanks.
Nate, cool information. Thanks.
Nate Haler
Inactive
Image Stabilization may be affordable!
Check this: http://www.17photo.com/mivastore/me...&Product_Code=7562A002&Category_Code=specials
The price in case you don't want to check is $240, before a $30.00 mail-in rebate, for Canon's 8x23 IS binocular.
Want a bit more power and larger objective? Their 10x30 is $315.00 before $50 (fifty buck) rebate.
No, I don't work for this store (or any store), just got interested in 00Spy's suggestion (thank YOU for the neat tip).
Higher mag and larger objectives above 10x30 cost quite a bit more, but you get what you pay for, and with the IS (image stabilization) feature, a hand-held high mag bino would seem like a workable solution.
FWIW, on a cruise up the Alaskan coast last year (awesome trip, highly recommend), there were lots of senior types on the boat, and many of them had no binos, or badly inadequate versions. Watching grizzly bears play on the beach is not to be missed! Could be that a favorite senior or less rock-steady person in your life might LOVE the image stabilization binos.
Happy holidays.
Check this: http://www.17photo.com/mivastore/me...&Product_Code=7562A002&Category_Code=specials
The price in case you don't want to check is $240, before a $30.00 mail-in rebate, for Canon's 8x23 IS binocular.
Want a bit more power and larger objective? Their 10x30 is $315.00 before $50 (fifty buck) rebate.
No, I don't work for this store (or any store), just got interested in 00Spy's suggestion (thank YOU for the neat tip).
Higher mag and larger objectives above 10x30 cost quite a bit more, but you get what you pay for, and with the IS (image stabilization) feature, a hand-held high mag bino would seem like a workable solution.
FWIW, on a cruise up the Alaskan coast last year (awesome trip, highly recommend), there were lots of senior types on the boat, and many of them had no binos, or badly inadequate versions. Watching grizzly bears play on the beach is not to be missed! Could be that a favorite senior or less rock-steady person in your life might LOVE the image stabilization binos.
Happy holidays.
Take a look at the Minolta 8x40 WP FP (weather proof, fog proof) as well. Received a very good review from a recent Consumer Report's review, and available online and shipped for under $150. They weigh in at about 26 or 27 ounces.
I've been pleased with mine so far.
I also use Brunton Eterna 8x25's for hiking/backpacking as they are only 12 oz., but won't be as good for birding.
I've been pleased with mine so far.
I also use Brunton Eterna 8x25's for hiking/backpacking as they are only 12 oz., but won't be as good for birding.
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I just bought a pair of Bausch and Lomb "Hemisphere" binocs at Sam's Club for $65. They normally sell for $100.
Features include: BAK4 prisms, twist-out eye cups, multicoated lenses, and waterproof/fogproof.
Here's a picture of them: http://www.bobwards.com/De.tpl?comm...&dt=Waterproof roof prism binoculars&is=large
Features include: BAK4 prisms, twist-out eye cups, multicoated lenses, and waterproof/fogproof.
Here's a picture of them: http://www.bobwards.com/De.tpl?comm...&dt=Waterproof roof prism binoculars&is=large
